ALSO SEE BELOW FOR COMMENTS ON DISCONTINUING FIRE ALARM MONITORING AND CHANGING A FIRE ALARM PANEL
QUESTION & ANSWER
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When the ALL IN ONE FIRE ALARM contract was announced one of the first questions I received was, can it be used for fire and intrusion when there is a single panel? The alarm co owner said he regularly installs the fire/intrusion and uses a panel sold by Ademco that is commercial rated.
I was surprised because I didn't know you could install commercial fire and include intrusion. A combination panel is of course common in residential systems. So I asked Mark Fischer of Nationwide Digital Monitoring to help clarify.
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Ken:
Combination control panels are recognized under NFPA 72, however many panels are listed as combination controls for household use only. To use a combination control in a commercial establishment it must be listed as a commercial fire alarm control panel. The use of combination control panels may be also restricted by local ordinance. Many AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) have included in their local codes restrictions on the use of combination control panels, including where allowed and equipment on separation of displays and controls.
Before installing a combination unit I would advise contacting the local AHJ and verify its acceptance for the type of occupancy within the jurisdiction.
Mark S. Fischer VP/CTO
Nationwide Digital Monitoring Co.
http://www.nationwidedigital.com
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Notice - two new fire alarm contracts are now available and up to date:
All in One - covers sale, installation, service, inspection, monitoring.
Fire Alarm Monitoring - covers monitoring. Installation and/or programming of transmitter.
Get these contracts at www.alarmcontracts.com. Don't wait for a lawsuit !!
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MORE FIRE ALARM RELATED ISSUES AND COMMENTS
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Comments on discontinuing service:
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Ken,
Regarding the discontinuing the monitoring or removal or disabling a fire alarm system, or finding that it is inoperable, there are rules in Texas which require that the AHJ and building owner be notified. Here are the references:
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/fire/documents/fmalkitstat.pdf
§ 34.616. Sales, Installation, and Service
(c)(6) If the monitoring service provided under this subchapter is discontinued before the end of the contract with the subscriber, the monitoring firm, central station, and/or service provider shall notify the owner or owner’s representative of the monitored property and the local authority having jurisdiction, a minimum of seven days before terminating the monitoring service. If the monitored property is a one-or two-family-dwelling, notification of the local authority having jurisdiction is not required.
§ 34.624. Red Labels (NOTE: Red Labels are required to be attached when a fire alarm system is found to be inoperable.)
(c) If the system is inoperable, immediately after attaching a red label, the licensee or the registered firm must orally notify the property owner, occupant or their representative and the local authority having jurisdiction
where available, of all impairments and provide a written notification, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered within the next business day of the attachment of the red label. If the system has a fault condition or is impaired from normal operation, after attaching a red label, the licensee or the registered firm must notify the property owner,
occupant or their representative and the local authority having jurisdiction in writing indicating the condition(s).
The written notification must be postmarked, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered within three business days of the attachment of the red label.
Gary Dawkins, CEO
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California Fire Code 2007 indicates in section 901.7.1 that the building owner shall assign an impairment coordinator to comply with the requirement of this section. And section 901.7 says that systems out of service the fire department must be notified. This means to me that the building owner and/or the impairment coordinator must notify the fire department and it is not the responsibility of the alarm company.
I would rather the responsibility be put on the alarm company who are suppose to be the experts on the fire system but that is what the code reads.
Leo Weiss
Eagle Security Systems
Chico, CA
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To Diana:
Why are you leaving the insurance issue up to your customer? Most aren’t going to cancel that 20% discount they get out of the goodness of their hart. This is especially true if the customer is cancelling with you to save money.
On our job completion form, we have spaces where the technician must fill in the name and phone number of the customer’s insurance agent. If a customer cancels, we notify the agent directly. Is it penalizing the customer? Maybe. Is it ensuring that I’m off the hook and don’t have to waste time responding to future letters about a loss of some kind because I was the alarm company of record? Maybe. Either way, I think it’s a good practice to get in to.
David L. Myers
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NFPA 72 says you must notify the AHJ when canceling monitoring of a fire warning system NFPA 72 2007 8.3.4.7.
Sincerely,
George D. Condon III
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REPLACING FIRE ALARM PANELS
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Hi Ken,
In NJ replacement of a fire alarm panel requires both fire and electrical permits and is not considered ordinary maintenance, i.e. a repair.
N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7 Ordinary maintenance
(a) Ordinary maintenance to structures may be made without filing a permit application with or giving notice to the construction official.
4. Ordinary fire protection maintenance shall include:
ii. The repair or replacement of any component of a fire alarm or smoke and heat detection equipment (other than the replacement of a fire alarm control panel);
Hope that helps,
John Drucker, CET
Fire Protection Subcode Official
Fire/Building/Electrical Inspector
Fire Marshals Office
Borough of Red Bank, NJ
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